Jewish Homes Attacked in Old City of Jerusalem

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An improvised launcher that was used in the attack being taken away by the police: Photo: Tazpit News Agency.

Two homes owned by Jewish residents in the Old City of Jerusalem were attacked by an Arab mob on Tuesday night.

The first home, known as the “Flowers House,” located near Jerusalem’s Flowers Gate (also known as Herod’s gate), was attacked from two directions. A number of stones and two Molotov cocktails were thrown at the house. Firecrackers were also hurled at the house using an improvised launcher. A security guard on site was lightly wounded by shrapnel, and was evacuated to Shaarei Tzedek hospital. Fire ignited by the projectiles caused damage to the property, but other security guards at the scene were able to extinguish it.

A resident of Flowers House told Tazpit News Agency that when security forces arrived and began searching for the attackers, a second Jewish home, the nearby “Emet House,” was also attacked with stones. Despite the quick response of Israeli security services, no suspects were apprehended.

“This is not the first time we have been attacked like this,” said the resident, who asked to remain anonymous.

“This was clearly a coordinated attack, involving two attacking groups and scouts. We do not live with a true sense of security here, but I understand that I serve as an emissary, and like on the frontier, if I am not here, no Jews will be. And therefore, I am not only here for myself.”

The resident expressed satisfaction with the security guards’ decisive response to the incident, but criticized the police’s conduct, “Even when they arrest armed suspects they release them for what they claim is a lack of evidence. They must stop this.”

A police spokesperson confirmed the details of the Flowers Gate attack and that stones and Molotov cocktails were thrown at security guards. The police also confirmed that one guard sustained an injury and that another guard fired warning shots in the air during the incident. Searches are being conducted to detain the assailants.